The Opelousas courier., 1887-11-26
riot TN THIBODAUX
White Pickets Attacked
by Negroes in
Ambush.
Two Men Of the Guard seri-
ously Wounded.
The Citizens Turn Out En- Masse to
Resist the Attack.
Summary Vengeance Wreaked Upon
the Assailantss
Six Negroes Killed Outright and as Many
Fatally Wounded.
A Review Of the Causes That Led to
the Affair."
Ga
The Town Now Quiet and No Further Trouble
+ Expected. 0
Six Negroes Killed Outright and as Many
Fatally Wounded.
A Review Of the Causes That Led to
the Affair."
The Town Now Quiet and No Further Trouble
Expected. 0

TH1BoDAuT, Nov. 23.-The continued
threats of the negro strikers in this parish
to attack this town eliminated this morning
in q bloody fight, in which six of the negroes
we're killed and five wounded. and two young
white men seriously hurt.
After the meeting of the sugar planters
and other prominent citizens on Sunday, the
more violent Of the negroes openly made
threats to burn the own and commit other
d~epredations. The citizens Of Thibodaux,
knowing the inf1amed condition Of the
strikers, at once took steps to protect their
lives and property. For the past few days
white citizens from all parts Of the parish
have been coming to Thibodaux.
On Sunday night the situation had be-
come 30 serious that a number Of the best
young men Of the town and parish were
sworn in as deputy sheriffs and picketed on
the approaches to the place.
Monday afternoon and night alarming re-
ports continued to come in and the excite
ment increased, H~ouseholders, not feeling
secure even with the protection of the cor
don around the town, stood guard all night
o1 JILL Sou6hN JAVA 2hNSSDSS Va hASSPs SAShS
timid women were
UNABLE TO SLIP AT ALL,
and many have not closed their eyes since
they arose Monday morning. The whole
town has been under a strain of great I'M
easiness, which was increased from the fact
that no one knew when the attack would
take place.
Yesterday evening information was re-
ce1ved from reliable sources that the negroes
were combining and that the attack would
be made last night. The Gordon of pickets
was strengthened, and the coming of the
negYpes anxiously awaited. The night wore
Bile. The day dawned. the sur, arose, and
the men who had stood guard all night over
the lives and property OF their kindred were
preparing to go to their homes, when the
fhharp crack of rifles, mingled with the rattle
of s%hotguns, awoke the few citizens of the
town who were asleep and told the men on
guard that
THE FIGHT HAD BEGUN.
The outmost picket guarding the town
consisted OF two of Thibodaux's most re-
spectacle young men-Messrs. John j. Cor
man and Henry Molaisen. These two were
posted considerably In advance of the others,
and, the night air being chilly, had built q
sonflre and were standing near IT.. about z
negroeg in ambush. who had evidently con-
cealed themselves during the night near the
bonfire. Is the report OF the guns a n out
both men fell to the ground seriously
head, which entered near the eye, and Mr..
Molaison with q severe wound in the leg.
As already stated, this volley alarmed the
rest of the guard and the whole town, and
the former Immediately rushed to the scene
of the firing. Two u men posted near
the wounded men soon reached them, and
Immediately tool steps looking to their re-
lief. While they were thus assisting the
wounded another yolley wss fired upon them
by the negroes, but fortunately it did no
damage.
Il q few minutes the entire guard around
the, town had rushed to the danger point,
and other citizens began to assemble with
such weapons as they could hurriedly lay
their hands on. AS they assembled around
the wounded men, half of them unconscious
Of dow the wounds had been received, there
came
4 THIRD FOLEY
from the, negroes in ambush. This volley,
like the second, did nj damage, but served
to unmask the assailants and to indicate to
the citlzens4 Who had gathered hastily with
the knowledge only that there was danger
somewhere, exactlyWhere that danger lay.
There was an instant and prompt reply to
the volley, and q general susliade was poured
into the ranks of the negroes. In g few min
utes the fight had ended. The negroes re-
piled feebly 10 the fire OF the whites at first,
but soon became panic-stricken and fled to
the woods.
In 4hG bA1 LIE %Z
the widest rumors were afioat as to the num-
Der killed. At first 1t WAS stated that from
fifteen to TWENTY-FIVE negroes had lost their
lives and that a large number were wounded.
After thorough search by the coroner, as
found that only six of the attacking party
had been killed n i've wounded. The tive
young men who vent down under the first
Yolley were the only white men hurt.
There was q great deal of excitement in
town and throughout this section during the
day, but tonight all is quiet. Is a matter of
precautlon, however, the town is still guard
ed bya Gordon of armed pickets, and all the
white mep in town are under arms, acting as
deputy sheriffs.
Statement from Prominent Citizens of
Thibodaux.
THrRoDAux, Nov. 23.-Our labor trouble
had about ceased when, on Tuesday after
noon. the people of this owe were reliably
informed that an attack would be made upon
the town during the night. To prevent any
trouble 3 strong guard of deputy sherifs was
picketed at all approaches. At q a. 10. two
of the guards, John j. German and Henry
Molaison, two of the most respectable and
esteemed young men of our town, were shot
of their friends rushed to their assistance,
and while they were attempting to relieve
their wounded comrades, they were again
fired upon GGrom ambush. Lucky they were
not harmed.
a. fearful state of excitement arose and the
armed guards OF the town rushed to the
sccne of action. They we're again fired upon
from ambush and then returned the fire by
Q general fusilade, which was kept up until
the rioters were dispersed. Some six rioters
are known to have been killed and as many
wounded. None of the guards of the town
we're injured except those above mentioned.
Our people are determined to preserve the
peace and all good citizens are in perfect
accord. The aboys facts are gained from re-
liable sources.
Gar KEoBLocH. Lieutenant Governor.
ThYLoR BEATTtE. Judge.
U. IHTBoDkUx, Sheriff,
l. ID. MooaE, Mayor.
The Threats and Overt Acts of the Ne
groas Which Led Up to the Tragedy
Death Of Four Of the Wounded Me-
groeslFurtiIer Trouble Expected.
T~HraoDAux. La, Nov. 23.-The Louisiana
Rifles twentyss1x IN number, IN command of
Capt. Adams, And a detachment Of the Wash
hagton Artillery, with 3 Gatling gIln and
other necessary equipments, arrived here at
3s31p N. to-day. The trip Yron New Or
leanB 10 this city vas devoid OF apecaal inter-
est. The effects Of The recent riet, however,
could be seen al along the line. Tie deposs
and etations o the line Of the southern Pa